Bachelor in Physiotherapy

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Algarve

Program Overview

The Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy at the University of Algarve is a great choice for students who are interested in movement, rehabilitation, healthcare and helping people recover from injury or illness. The course combines strong scientific foundations with practical physiotherapy training, so students gradually move from learning how the human body works to assessing patients and planning treatment.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
The first year helps students build a solid understanding of the human body and movement. Modules such as Anatomy and Physiology I, Study of Human Movement I, and Organisational and Social Structures of Health introduce the science behind physiotherapy and the wider healthcare environment.

Year 2:
In the second year, students begin to apply this knowledge to real physiotherapy situations. They study areas such as Exercise and Prescription in Physiotherapy, Musculoskeletal Conditions, Intervention in Physiotherapy I, and begin practical learning through Clinical Practice in Physiotherapy I and II.

Year 3:
The third year introduces more complex clinical areas, including Cardiovascular and Respiratory Conditions, Intervention in Physiotherapy III, and further supervised clinical practice. Students also develop a better understanding of how physiotherapy is adapted to different patient needs and healthcare settings.

Year 4:
The final year is highly practical and prepares students for professional practice. Students study Health Education and Promotion in Physiotherapy, Research in Physiotherapy, and complete advanced clinical placements, including Clinical Practice in Physiotherapy VI, which includes around 700 hours of internship training.

Focus areas: Human movement, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neurological physiotherapy, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, exercise prescription, clinical assessment, health promotion and evidence-based practice.

Learning outcomes: Students learn how to assess patients, identify physiotherapy needs, plan appropriate treatment, monitor progress, communicate professionally and use research to support clinical decision-making.

Professional alignment: The programme is accredited by A3ES, Portugal’s official higher education accreditation body.

Reputation: The University of Algarve is internationally recognised and is ranked =577 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Official programme link:
https://www.ualg.pt/en/curso/1914

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the strongest parts of the Physiotherapy degree at UAlg is the amount of practical experience students gain throughout the course. Clinical learning is introduced progressively, so students do not only study physiotherapy in the classroom — they also learn how to work with patients, assess conditions, plan treatment and reflect on their performance.

Practical learning includes:

Clinical placements throughout the degree, allowing students to apply theory in professional healthcare settings.
Case studies and patient assessments, helping students develop clinical reasoning and decision-making skills.
A major final-year internship, including around 700 hours of supervised clinical training.
Opportunities for placements connected with the Algarve Local Health Unit, giving students exposure to real healthcare environments.
Access to research databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and MEDLINE, which support evidence-based physiotherapy learning.
Digital tools including Microsoft 365, OneDrive and Teams for coursework and collaboration.
Access to university teaching laboratories, study spaces, libraries and research facilities.
Opportunities to engage with health-related research through UAlg’s Centre for Health Studies and Development.

This combination of practical training and academic learning helps students graduate with both the knowledge and confidence needed to enter the profession

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Physiotherapy programme can move into a wide range of healthcare and rehabilitation settings. Depending on their interests and further specialisation, they may work in hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation centres, sports organisations, community healthcare, schools or wellness settings.

Typical career paths include Physiotherapist, Sports Physiotherapist, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Neurological Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Physiotherapist.

Students also benefit from:

The UAlg Employment Portal powered by JobTeaser, which provides access to jobs, internships and employer opportunities.
Career support through the university’s Alumni and Career Opportunities Office.
Employability workshops covering CV writing, interviews, LinkedIn and personal branding.
The UAlg Careers Fair, where students can meet employers and explore career opportunities.
Extensive clinical experience before graduation, helping students transition more confidently into professional practice.
An accredited qualification that can support professional registration, subject to the requirements of the country where the graduate wants to practise.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can continue into postgraduate or master’s study in areas such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, health sciences, clinical research, sports rehabilitation or healthcare management. Students interested in research can also build on the research skills developed during the degree and progress towards more advanced postgraduate study.